PDP-5080HD
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Gadget Rewind 2007: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD plasma
The bleeding edge for pixel-pushing displays has shifted, and 4K, aka Ultra HD, is the one to watch. Though the once-great 1080p HD specification has now become commonplace, seven years ago, it was an altogether different story. Pioneer, one of the leading manufacturers of plasma televisions at the time, chose to buck the popular trend toward pricey "full HD" sets, and instead focus on more affordably priced sets under 60 inches. But cost wasn't the only differentiator for Pioneer; it also aimed to deliver the best picture quality possible, regardless of the spec sheet. From this line of Kuro (meaning "black" in Japanese) displays arose an award-winning 50-incher called the PDP-5080HD, which sported a humble 720p resolution.
Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD tops Home Theater Mag's HDTV shoot-out
With price differences shrinking, all we want to know is which HDTV tech provides the best picture quality. Home Theater Mag has tried to throw personal bias out the window in its 2008 HDTV Technology Face Off, with a blind test of DLP, LCD and plasma sets, the only requirement being a price around $3,000 and size of 50-inches or so. If you're thinking a 1365x768 resolution Pioneer Kuro could best competition featuring 120Hz technology, 1080p resolution and all the other latest buzzwords in high definition -- you'd be right. Deep black levels made the difference, boosting the PDP-5080HD over the second place Panasonic TH-50PZ750. Those looking to purchase the winner might be in for a tough search, as rumors indicate retailers are out of stock (this goes for the PDP-4280HD as well) and not expecting new shipments anytime soon, pending new product announcements from Pioneer. Which HDTV deserves to hang on your wall? Hit the read link to get the details and let us know which one you like.
Pioneer's 50-inch KURO plasma reviewed
If it ain't broken don't fix it - and Pioneer's newest plasma proves that statement. 1080p might be the '07 buzzword, but the Pioneer PDP-5080HD shows that you simply don't need the extra pixels in order to produce a superb picture. The 720p 50-inch plamsa happens to be one of the best-looking sets CNET has reviewed - evar (8.7/10). Sure, green wasn't reproducing 100% accurately and they would have liked to see a better picture control menu, but the marvelously deep black level outweighed those small issues like a fat kid on a teeter-totter. The $3500 sticker doesn't make this set the cheapest meal on the menu, but we can't think of a better way to fill your high definition appetite - or you could eat for free and win the 42-inch version in our latest giveaway.
Pioneer intros sexy KURO plasma lineup
Shortly after Samsung and Hitachi unveiled their swank HDTV lineups, along comes Pioneer with a sexy plasma lineup of its own to shake things up. The KURO displays are segmented into two divisions, one which includes the 42- and 50-inch standard KUROs, and the other packing "Elite" KUROs of the same sizes. The 42-inch versions sport a 1,024 x 768 resolution panel, four independent HDMI 1.3 inputs, a built-in CableCARD slot, advanced PureCinema with 3:3 pulldown, and more tweakable settings than you can shake a stick at. The 50-inch flavors up the ante with a 1,365 x 768 resolution, and the Elite versions add the Home Media Gallery, come ready for ISFccc calibration, and include a few more choices throughout the display setting menus. Pricing and availability information doesn't look to be available just yet, but judging solely by the specifications on these beauties, we'd say you better bring the purse (as in, the whole thing) if looking seriously at one of these.[Thanks, J]
